CDTi 150 oil consumption

[Derek Mc]

I have done about 2000 miles in the Vectra since getting it, so is now sitting at 20,000 (ish) miles.
It had had a service and when it got home the oil was at the correct level. However, last night the low oil level light came on and when I checked it it was low, not off the dipstick low but low,,,

I read once that they can use oil but others do not in any way use much so just wanted to gain experiences from the others as to oil.

I also know that there are differences in using Semi synth and fully synth to how long it lasts.

[diesel dog]

Oil consumption can be quite high when the engine is new (parts bedding in still), but should settle down after that. Your engine is still quite 'new'.

Check for obvious oil leaks.

Turbo bearings, piston blow-by, worn valve guides etc, can all be reasons for oil loss. But these usually happen at much higher mileages.

Other causes include blocked or disconnected crankcase breather system, both of which can cause too high pressure in the crankcase and ultimately blown crank seals. But again, this is normally at higher mileages.

VX recommend 5w-30 synthetic, and according to the latest Zafira brochure I have, this is to be changed at 20,000 miles or one year intervals, whichever comes sooner.

Semi-synths could be used, but only at 10,000 mile or one year intervals.

VX, however, now recommend only low sulphur synthetic oil, particularly now that most diesels are fitted with DPFs.

Thicker oils (you can get 10/15w-40/50 synthetic/semi synthetic oil) can stop blow-by and turbo bearing oil leakage problems etc at higher mileages (70,000 plus).

[Derek Mc]

Thanks for that, I am running as you know a mix of open CCV and stock (it has only been in the last 400 miles that I tried it so will monitor the oil level more closely as it does breathe very well both formats, The pipe from the OEM oil separator is actually restricted internally to about 7mm dia so flow rate on an open system is
I even spoke to a race engineer on this matter and he was of the opinion that it would have only a benefit as the recycling and blow by into the intake stream was far worse in general than then modified open crank breathing, but that is another matter, and one I shall monitor very very closely for excess oil consumption.

OLn the subject of oil itself I am using a 5w40 semi-synth right now but will get some fully sythetic in the same viscosity band.

[winnie2457]

A litre of oil is quite a bit I have done over 11000 miles since my car had a oil change and over 4000 miles with oil breather mod it has not moved off the full mark

Does your car smoke I mean blue smoke on start up or when you boot it
or do you have oil in your water system as possible head gasket
or do you have a leak as a litre of oil has gone somewhere and it can only go 3 places
1. Been burned (piston rings, turbo oil seals, valve stem oil seals)
2. Leaking from sumo or a loose pipe etc
3. Leaking into water system from headgasket

Hope this helps mate any more info I will try to help